November 2009 AS Hekotek (Estonia) and Novoyeniseisky LHK (Russia, Krasnoyarsk area) signed a contract for a pellet plant construction, sawmill wastes to be used as a raw material. The mill is to be launched summer 2010.
Today Novoeniseisky LHK is one of the largest sawmill and woodworking enterprises in Russia with annual output making up about 500 thousand cubic meters of sawn timber. There is also a line for fibreboard production from sawmill wastes (20 mln sq. meters per year). Currently part of the sawmill wastes is to be used for pellet production. It is explained by both reduced fibreboard sales markets (as an advanced fibreboard mill is to be launched in the region this year) and increased demand for pellets all over the world and in Russia, in particular.
Alari Roosi, Hekotek project manager, comments about the current project.
– For today Hekotek has delivered several pellet plants in Russia. Does the current mill significantly differ from the ones already operating in Russia?
– Right, it is not the first time Hekotek has been a general contractor in realisation of projects on construction of pellet plants in Russia. As a rule within the framework of a project we deliver our machinery as well. Thus, the delivery set for Novoeniseisky LHK includes Hekotek conveyer systems and solutions for storing granules. Besides, there will be a mill and presses produced by CPM Europe (the Netherlands) with capacity reaching 4.5 ton/ h. Thus, the annual plant capacity is to make up about 30 thousand ton of pellets.
– Earlier while designing pellet plants Hekotek used Andritz presses (Denmark), however, this time both Hekotek and the customer chose CPM presses that are more productive (Andritz press – 3.5 ton/h, CPM press – 4.5 ton/h).
– It is also worth mentioning that it is the first experience of Hekotek cooperation with CPM and we hope that it will be successful one. Moreover effective cooperation with new suppliers will allow us to offer our customers different solutions in future depending on their requirements.
– Does the project presuppose capacity expansion?
Hekotek concept on pellet plant construction (both with Andritz and CPM) includes a possibility of capacity expansion by the definite limit. As for DOK Enisey, for example, we considered possibility of the mill expansion up to 3 lines with total mill capacity making up 10.5 ton/h.
Within this project we can speak about 2 lines due to more efficient CPM presses. As a result the plant can produce 9 ton/h – annual output reaching 70 thousand ton. However, currently we are speaking about one line to be installed.
– Why, in your opinion, was Hekotek chosen as a supplier?
During my work I had a chance to attend different mills in Russia, including those where machinery was purchased from different suppliers. Despite high quality of the machinery bought, sometimes a mill was far from operating smoothly as some details were not taken into consideration at once. Thus, it took more time and costs to start-up the mill. Whereas Hekotek offers a complete project – complex solutions – and guarantees that the factory will operate according to the requirements specified in the agreement. Thoroughly chosen machinery influences the plant operation in general and – primarily – the quality of finished products (humidity, strength, fraction, etc).
Moreover, we had a successful experience in the Krasnoyarsk area – cooperation that left the customer DOK Enisey pleased with the results. I think it was also an important criterion for choosing Hekotek as a machinery supplier within this project. Thus, by choosing Hekotek a customer chooses maximum efficiency (from the veiwpoint of both product quality and economy).
– Do you consider pellet plants delivery to Russia a perspective trend for Hekotek?
Now 3 years have passed from the first Hekotek delivery of pellet plant to Russia (DOK Enisey). Today, besides Novoeniseisky LHK, 3 pellet plants are operating and one is in the delivery stage. So, it is the 5th project realised by Hekotek in Russia.
All in all wooden pellets present an interesting and perspective market. It is green energy getting more and more popularity worldwide every year, which in its turn leads to the increased demand for pellet plants. Currently Hekotek focuses on two main trends: production of machinery for sawmills and pellet plants with specific weight increasing for the latter.
17.12.2009
